File:Pagliacci - 'Nedda and her lover', by Byam Shaw.jpg

Identifier: favouriteoperasf00hadd (find matches)
Title: Favourite operas from Mozart to Mascagni : their plots, history and music
Year: 1910 (1910s)
Authors: Hadden, J. Cuthbert (James Cuthbert), 1861-1914
Subjects: Operas
Publisher: New York : Thomas Nelson
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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seizes the opportunityof declaring his passion, and when she laughs athim, and finally strikes him in the face with a whipas he is trying to kiss her, he vows he will havehis revenge, and goes off. Presently Neddas lover,Silvio, steals in and entreats her to fly with him.She refuses, and bids him not to tempt her. Hecontinues, nevertheless, to plead his cause, and soeloquently that at last she gives way, and promisesto go to him that night for ever. Tonio, who has been spying on her, and has gone away to inform her husband of her treachery, returns with Canio just as the lovers are saying farewell. Canio, furious with jealousy, rushes after Silvio, but is too late to catch him. Returning to Nedda he demands the traitors name. She absolutely refuses to divulge it, though he draws a dagger from his belt and is about to kill her. At this point Beppe, running in, snatches the knife from him. At Beppes call, Tonio comes to help him to calm their master. Beppe then takes Nedda into the 264
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Nedda and her lover I PAGLIACCI* theatre, while Tonio comforts Canio with theassurance that the gallant will return—perhaps cometo the play to-night. Beppe once more appears,and, bidding Canio get ready for the performance,goes away with Tonio. Alone, Canio cries out indespair. How can he act a comedy, with tragedyin his heart 1 Then with bitter cynicism he addresseshimself: Thou art not a man, thourt but a jester IOn with the motley, and the paint, and the powder 1The people pay thee, and want their laugh, you know!If Harlequin thy Columbine has stolen, laugh Punchinello!The world will cry, Bravo! At last, sobbing as if his heart would break, he movesslowly towards the theatre, pushes the curtain roughlyas if not wishing to enter, and burying his face inhis hands, pauses for a moment to recover himself;then, with a sudden rush, disappears behind thecurtains. Act 2.—It is the evening of the same day.Beppe comes from behind blowing a trumpet;Tonio, following with the big drum, takes

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